Curtin, creator of numerous cartoon theme songs, dies at 78

LOS ANGELES {AP} Composer Hoyt Curtin, who wrote the music for cartoon theme songs such as the Flintstones, the Jetsons, and Scooby-Doo, has died. He was 78.

Curtin passed away Dec. 3 after a lengthy illness, according to Chris Curtin, his son.

"He touched a lot of people's hearts. Not just the people he knew, but the people who heard his music," Curtin said.

Hoyt Curtin began his career at Hanna-Barbera in 1957 after a stint writing advertising jingles. As the music director for Hanna-Barbera, he wrote the score for countless cartoon shows, including Huckleberry Hound, Yogi Bear and Johnny Quest.

His most enduring creation was the theme to the Flintstones, which Curtin said he wrote in a panic in 1960 because the show was behind schedule.

"It's a catchy little tune," Curtin said in a 1994 interview with the Los Angeles Times. "Just a simple thing arranged for jazz and singers."

Curtin is also survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and three grandchildren.